Vivian Wilfred Straford (SN 5797) was born at Meredith where he attended the local state school. He was a 19 year old clerk when he enlisted on February 29th 1916 and sailed for England aboard the Ayrshire on July 3rd. In November 1916 he crossed to France to serve with the 37th Infantry Battalion. In April 1917 he was ‘highly commended for gallant service’. On June 7th 1917 he sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm. Initially assessed as mild, the wound proved to be so serious as to cause his return to Australia. He returned aboard the Hospital Transport Nestor and disembarked on September 24th 1917. He was discharged as medically unfit on February 25th 1918.